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Compact in size but supercharged in spirit |
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Aside from providing entertainment, the value of great movies is in the concept of transference, by which the viewers project their own feelings into the dynamic and heroic struggles of the main characters. When the protagonists are able to strive forth—with discipline and dedication—against insurmountable odds to determine their destinies and fulfill their dreams, the audience members are motivated to drive forward to fulfill their own dreams. Viewers begin to believe not just in the victory of the individuals on the screen but also in a personal goal, leading unequivocally to the belief that their own dreams and aspirations can be realized. This is one of the prime reasons that sports movies are one of the most popular genres, because the big game, race, or match becomes symbolic of life’s struggles. It is perhaps no accident that the movie Rudy has inspired audiences to reach deep into themselves and to strive to succeed. What makes the story of Rudy so profound and so deeply moving is that it is not a story about football; rather, it is a statement about the irrepressible human spirit manifested in the lead character, Rudy. Even more profound is the fact that this story about a young man who fulfilled a dream is a true story, not a fantasy about a comic book super hero. Rudy Ruettiger was told that he could not make it at the prestigious Notre Dame, academically as a student or physically as a football player. Yet, the diminutive dynamo overcame a mild form of dyslexia and not only successfully passed his courses but eventually made the team. Moreover, in the final game of the season, in his senior year, he actually played for 27 seconds and sacked the opposing Georgia Tech quarterback, a play that had no impact on the outcome of a game that had already been won by Notre Dame. But the amazing thing about Rudy’s performance is that he did not go on to play pro ball as did, say, teammate Joe Montana, but that he was able to go on into all other fields of endeavor and tackle problems of a more serious nature. The Rudy Ruettiger Foundation is dedicated to developing motivation in young people and working to inspire them to be able to fulfill their maximum potential just as Rudy himself had done. As this role model puts it: “When people say dreams don’t come true, tell them about ‘Rudy’!” 1 While
football players are capable of great feats, it is not really their
achievements that serve as constant reminders to all of us; on the
contrary, it is the spirit that brought about the great actions on the
football field that inspires us. The reason that athletes are role
models, a fact that many athletes do not understand, is not because of
the sport they play or because of their achievements in the sport.
Rather, it is because they and their sport symbolize great endeavors
that can be realized in any field of life and, of course, dreams that
can be realized regardless of the size or stature of the dreamer.
In addition, if you need proof of this theory, you need only to look at the story of Raiderette Marisa Carranza. This “Rudi” Raiderette gives testimony to fact that size need not be a deterrent to the human spirit in the achievement of one’s goals; she also supports the concept that athletes, sports in general, and good sports films, like Rudy, can motivate and stimulate an individual to succeed. Although the film did not motivate Marisa to play football, she was inspired to strive for one of her dreams and, after two unsuccessful tryouts, finally did end up on a football field but as one of Football’s Fabulous Females. Concerning Rudy, which she has seen more than 10 times, Marisa says, “That guy has so much determination. He doesn’t let anything get him down…. He has so much to overcome…and I think this motivation really inspired me to give it what I can in every thing I do. I think it’s also because I’m so short and so is he,” she says with a slight laugh. Like her hero, our “Rudi” felt that her slight deficiency in certain academic areas, not to mention her size, might have hindered her attempts to become a Raiderette, an objective she failed to realize two years in a row. Thus, she went on to take the necessary college courses, such as grammar and public speaking, which would enhance her public image. She even took Spanish classes so that she could further the cause for Latin women and be proud to be a fluent role model. She also started taking firefighter classes in order to put the most extreme demands on her body.
Marisa (bottom right) and friends. Being tiny can have its advantages: sometimes, you will be the center of attention; and sometimes, you will just blend in. It all depends on focus and perspective. Marisa begs to differ with those individuals in the public eye who claim that they are not role models. She believes that when you are in the public eye, “kids look up to you” and want to be like you. “It’s an obligation that you have,” Marisa says with conviction, “and something that you should be proud of and never stray from that.” That youngsters idolize Raiderettes is a fact of life that she discovered when she went to visit a school. She was amazed to see how she was received as a Raiderette by children as young as five who have Raider banners and posters. These mini-fans are well aware of what a Raiderette is. “In that situation… over my first season in my first year, I really touched a lot of the kids,” the rookie Raiderette says with a slight touch of pride in her voice “The kids part of this is just amazing…. They just think the world of me…. It really means a lot to me.” The fact that it means so much to Marisa to be able to be there for children is proof of her depth of character. However, the work that she does is a two-way street. While she touches the lives of all she meets, it is just as profound that, as Marisa believes, they also touch her life. This past Thanksgiving, the rookie Raiderette did her first charity event. It was the annual McDonald’s meal donation, and the needy people of the community—children, adults, elderly, and infants alike—were greeted by Marisa and Raiderettes Monique and Christine, who were on hand to help these less fortunate neighbors to salvage what little Thanksgiving celebration they could. |
“It was the most humbling experience; it was hard to keep the tears in that day,” Marisa says in a soft, somber voice. “It was so meaningful that I was part of it. I hope to do more charities like that, whether it’s for the team or just on my own. I was extra thankful that day.” Along with such a sincere desire to help families and children in need, it seems that Marisa will one day continue to be a great role model mother when she marries and has a family and children of her own, a goal that she has set for herself. However, having a family of her own is “kind of far off,” she admits with a degree of certainty. Indeed—from the two and a half to three hour cheerleading practices to the three one and one half hour fire fighting classes each week— her demanding regimen keeps her busy. Add her public appearances, mandatory charity events, performances at home games, not to mention her regular job as an administrative assistant, and you will readily see why having a family might be a long-range goal. When they are not having their nails done, shopping, or hitting the mall, Marisa and pals (below) enjoy just “hanging” and hamming it up -- just a bit!
Despite her career and her responsibilities as a Raiderette, Marisa still finds time to maintain close relationships with friends, family members, and especially her beau. Even when Marisa cannot physically be with some of her family, she is still connected emotionally. Mom Marisela, sister Zina, and brother Philip are in Cleveland, but they are very supportive and root for her from afar. Whenever she can, Marisa hangs with gal pals, like Angela, Rizza, and Bernice. Aside from going to the beach, camping, and snow boarding, these mod young women never fail to indulge themselves in typical girl stuff, like going to the mall, getting their nails done, and of course, going shopping.
Marisa leans on her “rock,” Jason, the man who has stood beside her, not just in the happy times, but in the tough times as well. It has often been said that behind every great man, there stands a great woman. However, very often the situation is reversed. So it is in the case of Marisa. Behind this successful young woman is her boyfriend of six years, Jason Lindsey, who cheers her on through the good and the bad, keeping the faith. “He has been my ‘rock,’ the one that was there for me when I’d come home frustrated by having to learn all the difficult dance routines,” says Marisa. Besides standing by Marisa, even when she failed to make the Raiderette squad on her first two tries, Jason also made sure that she would know all about his beloved Raiders. Hey, isn’t that what boyfriends are for? Marisa couldn’t agree more, except that Jason is more than a boyfriend, she maintains: “He’s my best friend.”
It is this faith that her family, friends, and Jason have in her that keeps her chugging on like the Little Engine “that could.” How do you get power out of a small engine? Well, you supercharge it; that is, you infuse it with air and fuel to maximize its potential. How do you get power out of a compact young woman? You “supercharge” her with an abundance of sprit, dreams, and faith. Rudy Ruettiger comments on the power of dreams: “Always have a Dream. ‘ Dreams give us energy to go to new levels. Dreams change lives ... the power of life is in your Dreams!’" In order to have dreams and to truly energize their lives, young people must have confidence; thus, Marisa tells them to “always believe in themselves.” That principle is paramount, she believes: “I think a lot of young people don’t have that [belief] growing up, even more so today than when I was younger…. That’s number one: you always have to believe in yourself. I have a strong belief in God. And I feel that everything happens for a reason…. One of the things I try to tell kids is that God loves them." Having strong spiritual values and strong beliefs is what will enable Marisa to move on toward higher goals. Just as football and football movies are symbols of achievement that will inspire individuals to dream of higher goals, so is the accomplishment of becoming a Raiderette. And Marisa aspires to eventually move on to other fields of endeavor. “After three tries before I became a Raiderette, that kind of showed me that I can do anything, and I just always wanted to be a firefighter; and now I have faith. |
I’m stronger and have more confidence in myself, and I now believe that I can become a firefighter. It will be hard work, but I know I can do it. In the firefighter class, you do all of that tough stuff like climbing and running up the stairways up a tower, carrying the fire hose and being timed through a course of obstacles.” Aside from the training and discipline, what is it about being a firefighter that attracts her, especially when there are so many other fields of endeavor in which she could excel? “It is definitely challenging and it is helping people,” Marisa answers, “and that’s the two things that keep me going in life. It is challenging in a sense that you have to be strong physically, and you have to be strong mentally.” Marisa points out that people may have a misconception about being a firefighter: “It will always be a challenge. There are so many things you can do being in the fire department. It's not just going out and putting out fires. There is so much other work, like reaching out to the community on a regular basis.”
Pete Carranza, Marisa’s dad, has always been a strong supporter of the Raiders and his Raiderette. Pete attends all home games and not only cheers on the Raiders but, you can bet, he cheers on his favorite Raiderette, Marisa. Pete has been seen sporting his favorite cap that says, "My daughter is a Raiderette."
One individual in particular that Marisa has learned much from is dad Pete. Although our little Wonder Woman flew from the nest and left Pete’s home a few years ago, she still lives five minutes from her dad and shares many great times with the man that has been her role model. Although her dad made her a Raider fan, he took the concept of “commitment to excellence” to a higher degree by instilling selflessness in his daughter.
Even though she does not have her own children to whom she can reach out, Marisa touches all the young people she meets both on her scheduled Raiderette tours and on an informal basis. Either way, her message is the same: “I think that it is important to definitely stay in school—an education is very important. Also, just get to know a lot of different people. You know, don’t limit yourself in any way, and you can learn a lot from almost anybody in your life.” “I have always wanted to get more involved in church and in doing some kind of Bible study with young kids, whether it’s the youth or even the younger kids.” Because of her Dad’s influence, she wants youngsters to see how God touches their lives. Every Christmas, Marisa and her dad go to a church that her grandfather helped establish. They buy stuffed animals and bring them to the church for the children of needy families. Marisa is always quite moved when, after receiving their gifts, “they just brighten up; their eyes just sparkle…. It’s just stuffed animals, but it gives them joy, it makes them happy; and that’s what we do every year for Christmas.” Getting to know youngsters and fostering relationships with them is very rewarding for this modest young woman. “It really means a lot to me to see how they think so much of me, and I’m just me—I’m just Marisa,” she says with humility. A famous director once said that there is no such thing as a small role in the theatre; there are only small actors. In other words, all parts and all roles delineated have deep within them great passion and great power; and a great actor is able to bring forth that emotion. One could say the same is true in life and that there is no such thing as small people, only people with small dreams. “I am definitely going to be a firefighter, no matter how long it takes along the way. That’s been a goal of mine,” the petite “Rudi” Raiderette says with a lot of confidence when speaking of her big dream. Although the tale of the tape may measure the height of Marisa Carranza at a diminutive five-foot-one, the true story will reveal that her spirit cannot be calculated because it is immeasurable and as boundless as the cosmos, and is still reaching higher. Like her inspiration, Rudy Ruettiger, she stayed with her dream to become a Raiderette and saw it through to completion, and now gratefully looks forward to the future. “Everything in my life is truly a blessing. I have a lot ahead of me, I can feel it,” she says with heartfelt confidence as she prepares to fulfill her next dream. So when people say dreams don’t come true, you can tell them about Rudy. But, while you’re at it, you can tell them about Marisa too!
February 6, 2002 E-mail
the Samurai 1All information about Rudy Ruettiger has been taken from Rudy International.com (http://www.rudyintl.com/index.htm) and Barber & Associates (www.barberusa.com/motive/ Copyright ã
2002 Paul Turse-Raiderdrive.com
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By Paul Turse aka
Samurai Raider 
You
can find Marisa on the front cover of the 2002 Raiderette Calendar and
inside with her lovely teammates: the Raiderettes. The calendar is
a work work
of beauty.